One of the main problems of anorexia nervosa is the denial of the problem that exists in many cases. This causes that professional help is not sought or it is done very late, with the result that the physical and psychological damage can already be very serious. Recognizing the problem is very important in order to be cured. In fact, it is the first indispensable step in the treatment; regaining the right weight comes right after. The most appropriate treatment combines cognitive and behavioral therapy. In order to devise the best therapy, it is essential to know the origin of anorexia nervosa.
The causes of anorexia nervosa are manifold and affect each patient differently. In addition, there are risk factors that Levine Smolak (2006) and Stice (2002) empirically support:
First, genetic factors. It has been proven that in families with people with anorexia nervosa there are more eating disorders, more depression and more psychopathology.
As well as genetic factors, sociocultural factors are one of the main and indisputable causes of anorexia. Today, the desired body image is based on thinness. The internalization of the ideal of thinness contributes to body dissatisfaction, as it is an unattainable ideal. This idea permeates our environment and ourselves, fostering dissatisfaction with our own body.
These ideas arise especially in puberty and adolescence. The bodily changes of this stage force us to pay attention to our own body and to integrate it into our general self-image. Insecurities and complexes emerge and it is at this stage when the adolescent compares his or her image with the aesthetic body model socially fixed as “perfect”.
This leads to body dissatisfaction. If we have had a poor body image since childhood, it is more likely that when we are overweight, real or imagined, we will start slimming behaviors. Being criticized or teased because of our appearance in childhood can also influence our image. There are not few cases in which patients admit that teasing from family and friends was the trigger for their disorder.
Finally, there are aspects of character or mood that can also influence the origin of the disease. On the one hand, low self-esteem. People with anorexia nervosa have extremely low self-esteem, feelings of being a worthless person and a great fear of being rejected. Given the great importance attached in our society to physical appearance, and especially to weight, it is not difficult for young boys to adopt the point of view that their entire value depends on having a perfect body and to which they devote all their efforts. On the other hand, perfectionism. People who are very demanding with themselves and have the goal of perfection, if they apply this criterion to everything related to eating, weight and body will probably develop an anorexic disorder.